Method for accelerating the setting of hydraulic binders



too a 1 a F EXAMINER 2 V e Z 4? 4 C1 m Patent ice 2,987,407.

Patented June 6, 1961 United Stat s 2 987 407 03. The composition of this product is not exactly own but it is assumed to correspond to the formula METHOD gg hggfifigfggg sE'mNG 3M co,.M 0H ,.3H,0 or the formula Leo Torsten Ulfstedt and Endel Wijard Sodertalje 4 0 O Anders Gustav Wastesson, Ronnlnge, and Karl Axel 5 4H20 jijrgemn, s -m Sweden, signers, by meme (Abegg: H andbuchder anorgamschen Chemie, Zwerter s t t Casing Corporation li it M t l, Band, Zweiter Abteilung, Leipzig 1905), or the formula Quebec Canada No Driiwing. Filed Aug. is, 1958, Ser. No. 755,147 E 2 2 Claims priority, application Sweden Aug. 19, 1957 in which the integer x may be 6 or 5 depending on the 16 Claims. ((1 1 method of preparing the compound (cf. Kirk-Othmer:

This invention relates to a method for accelerating the fg gg g g of Chemical Technology volume 1952 setting of hydraulic binders and to the application of As examples of the effect obtained by the addition mi gggligg igl fig g g g gggfizgz g 2? of basic magnesium carbonate to hydraulic binders acme like cording to the invention, the following values may be For y p p it is of interest to accelerate the mentioned which have been obtained by determination setting and hardening of hydraulic binders. This is the of the semng time according to the vicat method (DIN case, for example, in the series production of concrete 1164 24 b) bodies b cgtigg ccmcrett-ainmolds where it is desired to use the molds for several successive casting operations iiii'ii iia'i Setting with the least possible loss of time. Another example Binder magnesium begins is the manufacture of cellular concrete where it is deggzgg f' hmrs sired to stabilize the pore structure and render the mass 25 adapted for cutting as quickly as possible and thereby Portland cement shorten the manufacturing process. Particularly in case 0 of using h draul' ers with a low hydraulic power, 1 g such as bicjifi inmaglag, h draulic l'me, shale ash lotparts g cement 9 p tand the 1 e wit which the hardening reactions proceed minus g 2 Wit is often important to accelerate said re- 2 actions and thus shorten the time required for hardening.

It is general y known that the setting and therefore the harde meat and s1 Ydraul can 3 As may be seen from the table, the setti rocess accelerae n n ma quantities of different chemica s. The best known and mostly used for this 5 basic W 6 g g zj z w gm gg f "Q Purim-Se are addifims of less soluble anmghlyfill'riirising, S:IDCB neither neutral magnesium ghjw chlonqqs, especial? calcmm f carbonate nor magnesium hydroxide has been found to m but alumufum chlonde and possess any appreciable elfect. In reality, Mg-salts are chloride further alkah hydroxldes, water'glass M49 considered to be retarders of the setting of cement (Progarbonates phgsphates. However, these additions ceeding of the Symposium on the Chemistry of 0 ten give rise to consi erable disadvantages. Thus, for ments Stockholm 1938 published by lngenjarsvetem example, the chlorides often tend to promote corrosion ska sakademien, Stockholm, 1939, 299 and the alkali salts and sulphates increase the content of method according to the gg g g be advam water-soluble salts in the product, whereby the risk of ta 6 efiiorescence is increased. In addition, the sulphates may f g i g ggggfg gigfi i g f z f gf have a detrimental effect due to the formation of sulphom the present specification and alumnae? the appended claims is intended to comprise inorganic According to the Present mvemlon It has now binders containing calcium silicate and/or calcium prisingly been found that the setglngfllc-e-sigimaufic 50 aluminate as hydraulic components. As examples hereof binders can be considerably acce erated wit out any of ma mentioned entw hythe above-mentioned disadvantagr, if a small amount of y ba d aul' sl sla a finely divided basic magnesium carbonate is added "to fiffi ggf 'r fi g gfi 5 g i-igf :3

L theB bmgler mi (H m f th t thgmme or gg; products, such as shale ash,

on S scovery, e Pmcess 0 e Presen fly ash coke git and the like.

irivfmfion cqmprises aflmixing the with a finely e ad ition of the basic magnesium carb n to the gg f i g g g g s fg g s 3: gF g of hydraulic binder may take place in diiferent ways, for a n has' be"... p rbvzd that in this way the :ime rguired examine by fi i g g in to begin setting of the hydraulic binder may be rej y g er du ed h den d t m th half r third fifth grin mg. n pra ice, genera y amounts 0 from a out c S 0 th e o y f b 0.5 to 2% by weight, based on the hydraulic binder, have or 685 of at requred wit out a o t e been found to be suitable. The addition of the basic magnesium carbonate. However, an essential condition ma esium carbonate ma of course be combined for the obtaining of this favourable result is that the thegsddifion of othersetfiig regulator; krmwnv per Se basic magnesium carbonate is in an extremely finely clndin a g a assum fion divided state or, in other words, that it possesses a very that i only takes 5 in such small quantitiespthat large Surfaceno disadvantageous effects will result therefrom.

In accordance therewith, the basic magnesium car- Furthermorcmially h the components are mixed bonate is preferably added in the form of the product i h wetmte, a surface active agent may be added no n in t COmmerce as light basic magnesium for facilitating the dispersion of the basic magnesium bonate, also named magnesia albafyhen used for carbonate in the hydraulic binder. As'examples hereof pharmaceutical purposes, the apparent density of which may be mentioned triethanolamine, which may be added in an amount of 0.0l-0.1%, based on the weight of the hydraulic binder.

As examples of the application of the method of the invention in connection with the manufacture of cement and concrete and articles thereof may especially be mentioned the manufacture of slag cement and the production of building elements of cellular concrete. For this purpose, the hydraulic binder is mixed with basic magnesium carbonate in the proportions indicated above and with other conventional components of such compositions in suitable proportions to form the desired slag cement or cellular concrete composition. Owing to the addition of the basic magnesium carbonate, the setting of the cement or concrete mass takes place in a considerably shorter time than is otherwise the case. In other respects the manufacture is carried out and proceeds as known per se, and, consequently, the total time required for the manufacture is correspondingly shortened.

The preparation of the improved slag cement may take place by admixing the finely ground slag and cement components, which may be ground separately or together, with the basic magnesium carbonate in an amount within the range 0.1 to by weight, based on the weight of the hydraulic components. The mixture may also be prepared by grinding all three components together.

For the manufacture of concrete bodies, such as building elements, of the improved cellular concrete according to the invention, a mixture of sand or other siliceous minerals having a Wtgf silfi, Portland cement, basic blast-furnace slag, groun cement clinker or other hydraulic binders is prepared as known per se and is admixed with basic magnesium carbonate in an amount of from 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on the weight of the hydraulic components of the composition. Water is added to produce a slurry which is poured into molds and the mass is rendered porous and caused to expand by adding a gas developing agent, such as a metal powder, or foam thereto in the usual manner, whereupon the mass is allowed to set. Due to the addition of the basic magnesium carbonate, the setting then takes place much more rapidly than would otherwise be the case. The final hardening of the mass takes place as usual and is preferably effected by a steam-curing treatment under a pressure of 5-15 kg./cm.

As a result of the addition of the basic magnesium carbonate not only is the setting of the concrete accelerated but in addition thereto also the strength properties of the concrete bodies are increased by 30-35%.

The manner of carrying out the invention in practice is by way of example described more in detail in the following examples.

Example 1 A slag cement is produced by grinding together the following components:

Parts by weight Granulated basic blast-furnace slag 25-65 Portland cement clinker 35-75 Light basic magnesium carbonate 0.5-2

By the addition of the basic magnesium carbonate the time required before setting begins is reduced from 5 hours to 1-2 hours.

Example 2 A slag cement is prepared by grinding together 100 parts by weight of granulated blast-furnace slag and 0.5-2 parts by weight of light basic magnesium carbonate. This slag cement may then be mixed with aggregate and water to form a concrete mixture.

It is also possible to subject the slag separately to wet grinding and then add the basic magnesium carbonate simultaneously with the aggregate to the slag sludge obtained by the grinding.

The slag cement or concrete, respectively, produced in this manner is especially suitable for dam construction.

4 Example 3 For the manufacture of cellular concrete, slag and sand are ground separately or together to fine powder form. These powders are then mixed with water to form a slurry and Portland cement or ground cement clinker may be added thereto to obtain a mixture containing the solid components in the following proportions:

Parts by weight Sand 20-50 Granulated basic blast-furnace slag 10-70 Portland cement or cement clinker up to 30 Light basic magnesium carbonate 0.1-3

To this slurry is then added a gas for example 0.0l-0.5 parts by weiW- der, or a foam is mechanically incorporate 1n, to pro orosity in the mass and expansion thereof. When this has taken place it is desired to obtain the mass in a condition sufficiently set for cutting as soon as possible and, due to the addition of the basic magnesium carbonate, the time required herefore is shortened from 24 hours to only 4 to 10 hours. The mass is then cut or sawn into slabs or smaller blocks which are left to undergo the final hardening to obtain their maximum strength. Generally, this hardening is promoted by subjecting the concrete to a steam-curing in autoclaves at a pressure of 5-15 lrgs./cm. for, say, 5-20 hours.

If the final hardening is effected by steam-curing it is essential that the sand contains quartz or other siliceous minerals having a high content of silica. The sand may also be replaced wholly or partly by fly ash sgle ;h or the like.

Concrete bodies produced in accordance with this example having an apparent density of 0.5 have been found to have a mechanical strength of 40 ltgs./cm. while concrete bodies produced from the same concrete mixture without addition of basic magnesium carbonate and of the same density only possess a strength of 30 kgs./cm.

Example 4 A cellular concrete is prepared from the following components:

Parts by weight Sand 50-80 Portland cement clinker ground to cement fineness 20-50 Light basic magnesium carbonate 0.2-2.5 Pota 0.1-2.0

Distinguished from Example 3, in this case no blastfurnace slag is added as hydraulic component of the mixture and further the basic magnesium carbonate is used in combination with potash as a setting time regulator. In other respects the manufacture is carried out in the same manner as in Example 3.

What we claim is:

1. In the manufacture of slag cement, the process of forming a mixture comprising a finely ground blastfurnace slag and Portland cement, and incorporating with said mixture a finely divided basic magnesium carbonate in an amount of from about 0.1 to 5%, based on the weight of the hydraulic components of the mixture, to accelerate the setting of the mixture.

2. In the manufacture of slag cement, the process of forming a mixture containing from about 25 to parts by weight of finely ground basic blast-furnace slag and from about 35-75 parts by weight of a finely ground Portland cement clinker, and incorporating with said mixture light basic magnesium carbonate having an apparent density 0.3 in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 2 parts by weight, to accelerate the setting of the mixture.

3. In the manufacture of building elements of cellular concrete, the p ocess consisting of forming a mixture from about 20 to 50 parts by weight of a siliceous mineral havmg a high content of silica, from about 10 to parts by weight of finely divided basic blast-furnace slag and up to 30 parts by weight of Portland cement, and admixing therewith light basic magnesium carbonate having an apparent density 0.3 in an amount of from about 0.1 to 3 parts by weight, adding water to the mixture to form a slurry, pouring the slurry into molds, adding from about 0.01 to 0.5 parts by weight of aluminum powder to produce porosity in the mass, and then allowing the mass to set, the setting being accelerated by the presence of the said basic magnesium carbonate.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the concrete is subjected to a steam-curing at a pressure of 5-15 kgjcmfi.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein an amount of from 0.01 to 0.1% of triethanolamine, based on the weight of the hydraulic binder, is added to facilitate the dispersion of the basic magnesium carbonate in the mixture.

6. In the manufacture of building elements of cellular concrete, the process which consists essentially of forming a mixture comprising from about 50 to 80 parts by weight of a finely ground sand having a high content of silica, from about to 50 parts by weight of finely ground Portland cement clinker, and adding thereto light basic magnesium carbonate having an apparent density 0.3 in an amount of from 0.2 to 2.5 parts by weight, adding water to the mixture to form a slurry, pouring the slurry into molds, mechanically forming a foam in the mixture to produce porosity therein, and then allowing the mass to set, the setting being accelerated by the presence of said basic magnesium carbonate, and then subjecting the concrete to a steam-curing at a pressure of 5-15 kgs./cm.

7. A cementitious composition composed of finely ground sand having a high content of quartz, finely ground basic blast-furnace slag and finely ground Portland cement clinker, in a mixture with light basic magnesium carbonate having an apparent density of 0.3, in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 5%, based on the weight of the hydraulic components of the mixture.

8. A ccmcntitious composition composed of finely ground sand having a high content of quartz, finely ground basic blast-furnace slag and finely ground Portland cement clinker, in combination with light basic magnesium carbonate having an apparent density of 0.3, in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 5%, based on the weight of the hydraulic components of the mixture.

9. In the manufacture of slag cement, the process of forming a mixture of a finely ground blast-furnace slag and Portland cement, and adding to said mixture a finely divided basic magnesium carbonate in an amount of from about 0.1 to 5%, based on the weight of the hydraulic components of the mixture, to accelerate the setting of the mixture.

10. In the manufacture of slag cement, the process of forming a mixture of from about to 65 parts by weight of finely ground basic blast-furnace slag and from about 35-75 parts by weight of a finely ground Portland cement clinker, and adding to said mixture light basic magnesium carbonate having an apparent density 0.3 in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 2% parts by weight, to accelerate the setting of the mixture.

11. A slag cement consisting of the following components:

Portland cement clinker ground to cement fineness 20-50 Light basic magnesium carbonate 0.2-2.5 Potash 0.1-2.0

14. In the manufacture of cementitious compositions, the process of forming a mixture consisting of a finely ground basic blast-furnace slag and Portland cement, and adding thereto a finely divided basic magnesium carbonate in an amount of from about 0.1 to 5%, based on the weight of the hydraulic components of the mixture, to accelerate the setting of the mixture.

15. The process as set forth in claim 14, in which finely ground Portland cement clinkers are added with the Portland cement.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the basic magnesium carbonate is added in the form of light basic magnesium carbonate having an apparent density of 0.3.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,023,001 Billner Dec. 3, 1935 2,077,374 Grossinger Apr. 13, 1937 2,416,035 Whittier Feb. 18, 1947 2,437,842 Uhler Mar. 16, 1948 2,517,993 Falco Aug. 8, 1950 Jf -e 

1. IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SLAG CEMENT, THE PROCESS OF FORMING A MIXTURE COMPRISING A FINELY GROUND BLASTFURNACE SLAG AND PORTLAND CEMENT, AND INCORPORATING WITH SAID MIXTURE A FINELY DIVIDED BASIC MAGNESIUM CARBONATE IN AN AMOUNT OF FROM ABOUT 0.1 TO 5%, BASED ON THE WEIGHT OF THE HYDRAULIC COMPONENTS OF THE MIXTURE, TO ACCELERATE THE SETTING OF THE MIXTURE. 